14 Budget-Friendly Family Vacations You Can't Afford to Miss
Chincoteague Island, VA
Famous for a herd of wild ponies that call it home, Chincoteague is a peaceful island destination just off the coast of Virginia. Arguably one of the most beautiful beach towns on the East Coast, Chincoteague offers small town charm and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature.
Nearby Assateague Island, which is connected to Chincoteague by a bridge, is home to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge with its unspoilt beach that is famous for its beauty. While here, you’ll certainly want to get close to some ponies. You can see them by taking a bike ride through the refuge or by booking a bus tour with the Chincoteague National History Association, which visits more far-reaching parts of the refuge. Bird-watching is also top notch in the refuge.
Another fun thing to do with kids in Chincoteague is to take a boat tour of the bays and salt marshes. Several companies offer tours of the waterways around Chincoteague in a variety of vessels.
All in all, you’ll come away with just the kind of memories we love to make on our family vacations — lots of time spent together, enjoying the great outdoors. Better yet, you won’t have to break the bank to do so as Chincoteague is easily accessible from much of the Eastern United States, and accommodation is reasonable especially when compared to some of the larger resort cities along the coast.
Washington, D.C.
While the nation’s capital may not have the cheapest room rates on our list, tons of free attractions make it one of the most affordable family vacation destinations in the United States. All of the Smithsonian museums are free to enter, as is the National Gallery of Art and the National Zoo.
On top of that, most of the iconic monuments that Washington, D.C. is known for are free to enjoy. With all of that money you are saving on attraction costs, you’ll have plenty leftover to splurge on a nice hotel or dinner out for the whole family.
Mom and dad will be happy that the kids are learning a bit about our nation’s heritage during their vacation and the kids will enjoy seeing the epic sights they’ve learned about in school. To top it off, the city has an efficient subway system, so you don’t have to blow your budget on a high-dollar hotel near the main attractions. Rather, you can stay a bit further out, where budget-friendly hotels are easier to come by.
If you are planning to travel by plane, several major airports are conveniently located near Washington, D.C., so you’ll have your choice of flights. There are direct flights from many cities around the country and it pays to shop around to see which route and flight is the best option to save your family some money.
How much do you know about third-party flight booking? Read on to learn about this great budget-friendly option for your next trip.
Estonia
If you’re heart is set on visiting the Scandinavian countries of Northern Europe, you may be shocked by the price tag. However, just a short ferry ride away from Helsinki is a much more budget-friendly territory. Estonia offers a cheap alternative to those other cities with all of the charm and interesting sites that you’d hope to make a part of your European vacation.
Make time to explore the UNESCO-protected medieval old town in the country’s capital city, Talinn. There is a well-preserved walled area where you can spend hours exploring the various shops and dining in charming cafes and restaurants.
For a fun experience of medieval times for the whole family, book a table at the Olde Hansa restaurant for dinner. You’ll enjoy a 15th-century-style meal served by staff in medieval attire while listening to nightly live performances by medieval musicians.
If you are craving a bit of nature on your family vacation, Estonia won’t disappoint. Outside of the capital, you’ll find a pristine natural environment waiting to be explored such as the forested Lahermaa National Park, the Jagala Waterfall and the protected wetlands of Soomaa National Park.
